The Miami FC 2

The Miami FC organization could not have asked for a better showing Wednesday night at FIU Soccer Stadium. Playing a goal kick away from the organization’s “home grounds”, Miami FC 2 laid out a statement match versus local qualifier Red Force FC. Miami will not sit idly by and allow this Open Cup tournament to go to waste.

After advancing from its “play-in” game Sunday night, The Miami FC 2 and Red Force FC face off in the official first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Miami FC 2 is the host, and have chosen to play at the FIU Soccer Stadium instead of its usual home ground this season, Bobcat Field at St. Thomas University. You can watch the live stream of the match below!

The U.S. Open Cup is officially under the way with a pair of first-round matches taking place in Miami-Dade County. The Miami FC 2 and Miami United (both NPSL) will face off against a duo of local qualifiers in Red Force FC and FC Kendall. In matches that could easily become high scoring affairs, the firework alert is ringing loudly in Westchester and Hialeah. Before we breakdown the matches let’s take a look at how each club has gotten here.

The 105th edition of the Open Cup began today on a field that is normally reserved for high school competitions and high level amateur fixtures. In a setting unknown to the Miami FC organization, FC Miami City found comfort on their home pitch. Perhaps just a bit too much comfort.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The fans are a drinking, the balls are a curling, the strikers are score-ing, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. See what I did there? Perhaps I will leave the song writing to Andy Williams, but the U.S. Open Cup tournament is upon us. FC Miami City and The Miami FC 2 are raring to go.

The NPSL has proven to be a tough league to understand in the early stages of the 2018 season. Sure, we may have fond memories of the NASL and the whole “division two” thing, but it’s time to accept that those days are long gone. Miami versus Jacksonville was the showing that, no matter what competition these two clubs find themselves in, there is still very little love lost between both sides.

If you expected the #MagicCityClasico to produce your rough and tumble derby, it was a disappointment. If you are into the “bad blood” storyline and enjoy when the beautiful game is played with an edge, this will be the fixture for you. Miami FC 2 host their comrades in exile, Jacksonville Armada in a match where both teams seek validity.

The Miami FC 2 bolstered its attack Friday, signing Kris Tyrpak from San Antonio FC of the United Soccer League.

Before San Antonio, Tyrpak played professionally for Swope Park Rangers (USL) in 2016, San Antonio Scorpions (North American Soccer League) in 2015 and Chivas USA (Major League Soccer) in 2014.

In 2012, 2013 and 2015 Tyrpak played for Austin Aztex of the Premier Development League, which might better explain the signing. It was in those seasons where Tyrpak played for Paul Dalglish, who now manages Miami FC 2.

Tyrpak was named as the USL PDL MVP after scoring nine goals in 14 games while also recording one assist as the Aztex won the USL PDL title in 2013.

Act Two of the #MagicCityClasico did not go as planned for anyone involved. What should have been a coronation for one of these clubs ended in carnage and disappointment for everyone involved. However, the city showed up for the intense second match and Bobcat field was just as vibrant, if not more so, than Riccardo Silva Stadium.